My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

is so pretty,

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

happened to be a little

the ‘Happy Birthday’

her eyes and

must blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that there

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped

look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table

gentled and, under the gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew

to say thank you!”

each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled

courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now

I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

she turned and headed toward the

her apartment and about

door was propped open by a

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

on business?

into the house and shut the door before

see you’ve been getting

two steps

her as he pulled off his

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

by step he approached her,

had no idea

staggered after him